Exclusive! Tom Jones Talks ‘The Voice U.K.’

The ever-rotating "Voice USA" judging lineup has been in the news lately, but across the pond, the British version of the show stars a true vocal legend: iconic Welsh crooner Tom Jones. The Sex Bomb himself!

The other coaches on "The Voice U.K." are will.i.am, Jessie J, and Danny O'Donoghue of the Script — but Sir Tom, who's sold 100 million records over the course of the past six decades, brings a certain credible cool to the series.

Tom recently stopped by Yahoo! Studios to perform songs from his 40th (yes, FORTIETH) album, Spirit in the Room, and while he was there, the showbiz veteran dished about his surprising decision to become a reality TV judge. "In Wales I'm known as 'the voice,' so [the BBC] said, 'Well, we can't do this show without THE VOICE!'" Makes sense...

Explained the 72-years-young showman: "I thought what a great idea it was to have four entertainers giving their views on singing…I like the fact that it's all about the voice, and I thought that was a great idea about the chairs, because you're judging people on the way they sound, not the way they look. So you get people that would come on 'The Voice' that maybe wouldn't go on another show, because they feel a lot better, because they are being judged on their vocal ability."

See Sir Tom talk about his tough-but-fair coaching style, his obvious fondness for Jessie J, and more in the charming exclusive interview above...and come back later for his full-length interview and in-studio musical performances!